How much exercise is too much, for an older dog?
 As the days have gotten longer here (still cold and snowy  ) we have been taking longer walks, and today we went on a short, but rather intense hike on snowy trails. My normal daily walk with her and Bert (or some times just one of them alone) is only about a mile...half of it uphill, on the mountain we live on. This walk today was about 3 miles, but through deep snow.Abby was obviously having fun, and she and Bert ran and wrestled and checked out interesting stuff off trail, and herded the smaller dogs (my friends JRTs) that were with us. What alarmed me, though, was that several times she got stuck in the snow  and had to be pulled out. She also fell at one point, when Bert body-checked her into a bank. We picked her up, and she immediately took off again at full speed up the trail, but the fall really alarmed me.She doesn't seem sore now, just tired (Bert is too! So am I!  ) So I wonder if I'm just being paranoid? |
|
|
| As they get older their reflexes get slower. The brain says one thing & the muscles say another! They get themselves into a spot & then think "uh-oh....what do I do now?" Just be careful she doesn't pull or injure leg muscles in situations like that. I just had that happen with Isaac & he'll be 12 on April 1st. Injured his left rear knee muscle trying to twist & get out of a snow bank. Only diffference was he put himself there! Why? I have no clue! |
Thank you Marilyn, that make sense. I had been concerned that we had caused her to over-extend, and become too sore and tired for her to pull herself out I feel that we are entering a time when we will need to balance keeping her active, with not pushing her too hard, and its making me into a worrywart  |
When they hit 11 years of age I worry everyday about them. The slightest thing off from what they normally are causes me to watch them closely. You are not alone. Isaac was doing excellent this winter compared to last. Until the snow bank issue. I took him to the vet as a precaution since he was favoring that leg (he was walking on it & putting weight on it but I could see it "shaking" which is usually an indication of pain). I had put him on a low dose of Rimadyl for it until the vet appt. That day I really thought I didn't need to even take him for the appt. but then I thought "what if the rimadyl is just masking the pain?" So off we went for the vet appt. I love my vet. Been with him over 25 years now. But this was one time I should have followed my gut. He said he had injured the knee/muscles after examining him & put him on a low dose of Pred & an antibiotoc for 10 days. Well, by the 5th day he was letting his breakfast sit but would eat his dinner. Now Isaac NEVER misses a meal. And with Pred they usually are starving. So worry, worry, worry & he's not acting "like Isaac" to us. By Friday he had refused breakfast 3 days in a row & eaten about 3/4 of his dinner those days. So I called the vet & he said the antibiotic might be upsetting his tummy & if he seemed like he was getting around OK (which he was....all those symptoms were gone) go ahead & stop the antibiotic. Well, I decided to take him off the Pred too which I generally would have finished weaning him off of but we were almost to the end of it anyway so no harm done there. Within 36 hours of no meds he was back to acting like his normal self! So who knows if he really even needed those meds! One thing for sure is that I'm not going to just agree to meds now that he's older. We already bypass yearly shots at his age. Titers are way up there. Now I just want all this danged snow  to go away so I don't have to worry about my dogs! |
| Same as Marilyn said. I'm going through the same with Simon. Always super active and fit (especially for a basset hound) and go-go, run, jump. He will be 11 in April. Last year I noticed he tired more, and seemed to lose endurance on long walks. I've cut back to a 2 mile max, less if their are lots of hills or steps. He used to jump in the Element, now he needs a rear end boost. Overall, he's in great health and still can out do most bassets..... |
I don't know why, but doesn't it seem like 10/11 is the age at which we tend to suddenly look at our dogs and think: Oh my gosh, when did she start becoming a "senior"?  |
| My vet always says anything past 10 years is a bonus with dogs this size. He has large dogs too. I think why we notice this more at this age is it seems to come on suddenly. They act like puppies their entire lives & then at about 11 years of age they act like old dogs trying to act like puppies! Almost like they are ashamed they are growing old & needing a bit of assitance here & there. Last year I moved Isaac to getting in the van from the rear hatch to the side door. It's not as high. Most of the time I need to give him a boost due to the arthritis in his lower spine. But I can still see the bounce in his gait when he moves. And that keeps my spirits up. |
ravenmoonart wrote: My Abby girl turns 11 this month. She has always been a dog who thrives on lots of activity, being out in public, travel, etc. She is showing her age though, and slowing down a lot Aweee... that makes me sad to hear. I miss your dogs. Sure could have used them with this new pup. I hope Abby seems more like herself during your next romp. |
| I agree with everyone who has responded...I worry about Pearl, a lot! I had decided a while ago to let her do what she wants, not curtail anything ~IF she wants to do it, then she will!!! But that doesn't mean I don't worry!!!! I worry, when the others puppers decide to play and run on our wood floors and Pearl takes off getting in the middle, that she will slide and really hurt something... I worry that she will get hurt while I am at work.. I worry about her running in the yard and possibly slipping.. I worry that, sometimes, when she goes outside, she 'forgets' WHY she is out there.... I worry that she her eyesight is really getting bad when she 'misses' the door and instead, smacks me in the knee.... It is very difficult to see their body failing them BUT her Sheepdog Spirit is alive and thriving!!. Everyday IS a gift..................... Let Abby do as much as she feels she can~~~and as always,  to your crew!!! |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|